Neighbours icon Ian Smith has confirmed when his character will finally return to Erinsborough – and viewers don’t have long to wait.
In a new clip discussing his permanent return to the beloved Australian soap, Smith revealed that his infamous character Harold Bishop will be back on Ramsay Street from May 28. He told fans: “I’m back on May 28th, not only back in the show but also in the first part of the show where everyone is running around to music and singing and everything.
“Well, I run around and I sing, and I’m gonna be in that too. Will you be there my friend? See ya!” Elsewhere in the exciting clip, Smith confessed he “couldn’t be happier” about returning to the long-running show.
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He added: “I was retired and don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed retirement – don’t tell anyone but I’m 85 years old. You need youngsters around you to keep you young, and we’ve got the best bunch of youngsters, they’re fun and they’re good.”
(Image: X)
The actor’s return was officially confirmed by TV bosses earlier this month, with the soaps official X/Twitter account. They posted: “After 15 years of living away, the legendary Harold Bishop is returning to Erinsborough.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ian Smith back to the show and the opening titles, where he belongs.” The silver fox initially played Harold between 1987 and 1991, before he returned for another stint in 1996 to 2009.
The actor has also made several guest appearances over the years, including in 2022 and the first few episodes of Amazon Freevee’s revival. Now, it seems like the star is back for good. It comes after Neighbours is rewriting history after it was nominated for a huge US award.
(Image: Getty Images)
Since its return to Ramsey Street after landing a contract with Amazon Freevee in 2023, the soap has scooped a slew of awards for its incredible actors as well as its hard-hitting storylines. But now the show has attracted an international audience and picked up a nomination for Best Daytime Drama Series at the Daytime Emmy Awards.
The snazzy awards do will be taking place on Friday, June 7. Neighbours face strong competition from five other nominees, including US daytime dramas General Hospital, Days of Our Lives and The Bold and Beautiful.
Also in the running for the coveted award is the CBS show The Young and Restless and crime series The Bay. Jason Herbison, Neighbours’ Executive Producer, called the news an “exciting moment” for the soap.
“Neighbours has been on an incredible journey these past few years and a Daytime Emmy Award nomination is the icing on the cake,” he told TV Tonight . “It’s a huge honour to be nominated alongside such iconic US daytime dramas.
(Image: PA)
“Today’s news is an exciting moment for our hard-working cast and crew and a wonderful recognition of the new chapter of the show.” Meanwhile Script writer Emma J Steele also reacted to the nomination.
On X, formerly Twitter she proclaimed: “Well, this is rather exciting! Congratulations to the entire team @Neighbours for our first ever Daytime Emmy nomination! #Neighbours.”
Script Producer Shane Isheev also shared his thoughts. He penned: “What an exciting way to end the week! #Neighbours nominated for a Daytime Emmy in America. What wonderful recognition for the entire team.”
Neighbours releases new episodes from Mondays to Thursdays for free on Amazon Freevee in the UK and US.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
